Development of a preliminary bionematicide formulation with Pochonia chlamydosporia and its effectiveness against Meloidogyne javanica on tomato

Developing a bionematicide formulation was the aim of this experiment. We evaluated chlamydospore production of three Pochonia chlamydosporia strains on flaxseed and rice-husk, and their survival on talc, kaolin and maize-cobs-powder. The effect of each formulations in suppressing Meloidogyne javanica on tomato was investigated in greenhouse. The number of chlamydospores on flaxseed was about twice more than on rice husk for all strains. IRAN 1212C produced more chlamydospores with longer lifespan compared with the other strains. IRAN 1212C on maize-cobs-powder could control M. javanica by 95% that was similar to fluopyram. This formulation had a superior effect in establishing the fungus in the rizhosphere and on roots, suppressing the nematode and increasing plant growth. Three strains of the fungus reproduced well on flaxseed and could last longer if formulated on maize cobs powder. Therefore, maize cobs powder can be suitable base to produce on effective powdered bionematicide.